Freeport gears for county success

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The Freeport wrestling team graduated some key seniors who made noise on the county level and is looking for new grapplers to make their mark this winter.

Third-year head coach Matt Cellan has put together a challenging early season schedule with some tournaments against some of the top teams on Long Island and December dual matches against Syosset and East Meadow. Cellan hopes the rigorous matches build confidence that can pay dividends when the county tournament takes center stage in February. 

“None of them have really had that breakthrough win, but they are all capable of it and I expect that to happen over the next few weeks, because we have a few tough tournaments coming up,” said third year Freeport wrestling head coach Matt Cellan. “It’s tough because a lot of guys aren't at the correct weight yet and it takes time for things to shake out so we're waiting to see a couple more guys get that signature win and make a name for themselves.”

Sophomore Jahari Lloyd is one of the returning wrestlers Cellan sees potential in to place in the counties at 110 pounds in February after winning a number of matches last year at 102. Senior Amir Lev (160), who qualified for counties last year in his first season of wrestling, also has a strong chance to reach the podium along with fellow senior Kesson Sorsor (152). 

Cellan has three wrestlers in the 189 pound weight class capable of making headway in the counties in juniors Juan Ramos, Christian Greene and Jordan Addison. Ramos and Addison both qualities for counties last year at 189 and 215, respectively. 

“I think all three of them are good enough to place in the county tournament,” said Cellan of his 189-pound trio.

Another wrestler who could emerge as a county contender this season is sophomore Anthony Velasquez at 172, who Cellan said is making strides after gaining valuable varsity experience on the mats as a freshman. 

Freeport will tackle dual meet matches in early January starting with a Jan. 4 battle against Sewanhaka East at home starting at 6 p.m. before hitting the road to face local rival Uniondale on Jan. 10 at 5 p.m. The Nassau County dual meet championships are scheduled for Jan. 21 at Clarke High School in Westbury.

The Nassau County individual championships will return to Hofstra University’s Mack Sports Complex for the first time since 2018 on Feb. 11-12 with Freeport’s top wrestlers looking to earn a spot on the podium with a top six finish. The New York State Championships will be held Feb. 24-25 at MVP Arena in Albany. 

“You are always looking forward to the individual tournament more than anything,” Cellan said. “The dual meet championship is important, but it's more about the individual tournament and toward the end of the year and that's where those kids get to go places in the county and go upstate.”